I think my 4 year old may have an eating disorder!

Please help me. I didn't know where else to seek advice. My little girl will be 5 in 2 weeks and she only weighs 36 lbs. She has always been small and never has much of an appetite. Her pediatrician doesn't seem to think there is a problem but I do. I have to force her to eat. She never comes to me throughout the day to say she's hungry. And sometimes she even cries when it's time to eat. I cried the other night because I discovered a months worth of food under her bed where she had been getting up from the table and hiding the food so she wouldn't have to eat it. My baby is so small, and I have tried everything from vitamins that are supposed to boost her appetite to just spoon feeding her myself at 4 years old. Has anyone else dealt with anything like this? I can't stay on top of it like I used to because of the new baby and his needs...I need advice.

Comments (15)

I'm sorry, I have no advice but I have a 2.5 year old like this. She's tiny. 24 lbs and could still wear 12 month clothes except for the length. I just bought her a pair of 12 month shorts. She can still wear a few 9 month swim suits...you get the point.

She's had a ton of GI issues so there are actually a lot of things that she CAN'T eat. We always assumed that she associated food with not feeling good or getting sick...which is why she didn't like to eat. Who knows. It's extremely frustrating. It's a fight to get this girl to eat every.single.day.

My dd is about 41 inches and only 33 lbs. She will usually eat one solid meal a day, which is about the size of a sandwich, some yogurt, and a piece of fruit. It varies whether that meal is breakfast, lunch, or dinner (not always a sandwich either). She is thin, sure, but not outside of normal. If your doctor isn't worried, I would try not to either.

This site says girls this age need 1200-1800 calories a day depending on the child and activity. She may only need the lower end of that, which isn't a ton of food.

Start with a deep breath. Next call your doctor and get her in for an exam and express your concerns without your dd there. Have them do a full panel if bloodwork. Do not leave with out some type of next step. Hugs to you and your little one.

She was about 42 inches when we last checked. Thank you ladies for your support and advice. I don't feel as bad about it, especially after seeing the post about the size of everyone else's May 2008 babies. It seems this is normal size and behavior when it comes to eating.

My may 08 baby is 42 lbs and 46 inches. She can't get enough food and I have to really watch what she eats. I would take her to the doc. Honestly her not eating like that is not normal at 5. Maybe it really hirts her tummy and she's allergic to something or mate she has IBS. I would want some answers :(

Yes, maybe get it checked out. Follow your mommy instinct especially finding the food she didn't eat, I wouldn't be concerned about an eating disorder but as PP mentioned, maybe there is something she is eating that is bothering her, maybe it is a texture thing? Not sure but blood work or OT evaluation might get some answers.

Just letting you know my May boy is just hitting the 37 pound mark now. He eats ok, not great. If she is healthy and active, then she is most likely fine.

Have you tried having her help pick the foods for mealtime? Help you cook? Just ideas that help at our house when they odn't want to eat. But a lot of the time it's truly as simple as they aren't hungry. Or they would rather be playing than eating. My boys best meal is usually breakfast. They usually eat two of them :P Like breakfast part 1 adn part 2, then smaller meals for lunch and dinner.

I think you have received a bunch of good advice. Eating disorders are usually about control. I wouldn't think it is normal, but I would want to get to the bottom of it. I would think sensitivity, or food allergies would be up there as a possiblity. It there any similarity to the type or textures of foods she refuses? I would think that making sure it is documented with the doctor, and all concerns are discussed is really the most important part. If you still feel in your gut that there is an issue and doing something like letting her pick her own menu doesn't change her eating pattern, I'd either be all over that dr or I'd be seeing another Ped. It think the not eating is sometimes common, but I do think that hiding food is a little strange at 5. Although, my two yr old purposely drops food out of her mouth and on to the floor when she doesn't want to eat.